February 29, 2008

The lead single from her next album Hard Candy was played on a French radio station a couple days back. There has been considerable buzz surrounding the track ever since the short remixed clips leaked. And the buzz is even louder now that it has been heard by a number of people. Featuring additional vocals by Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, the song was also produced by them. The song is an uptempo Urban-leaning Dance track. With the driving beats and infectious horns, this song is sure to take off like wildfire on radio and in the clubs. Peter Rauhofer and Junkie XL are two of the confirmed remixers on this project. The single will hit U.S. radio later this month.

February 20, 2008

This one began life in 1997 when Coco released the single “I Need A Miracle” on Positiva in the UK. Nearly a couple years later, Fragma released their instrumental hit “Toca Me”, also on Positiva. A short time after that, some DJ created a mashup using the Coco vocal over the hypnotic Fragma track. In 1999, the bootleg was professionally recreated and released on Positiva as “Toca’s Miracle.” The song was picked up by various labels all over the world and was a big hit. Since then, the song has been remade and updated regularly.

The latest update actually happened in late 2007 with the In Petto mixes (these are different from the ones on the original release). Most of the familiar elements present in the original are included over a minimal house production. The Wideboys continue in the same direction with their mix. It’s a borderline Speed Garage/Electro House mix. A good alternative.

With remakes of classic Dance tracks happening all the time, it’s a nice surprise when an artist does an update to one of their own songs. “Something Good” was somewhat of a big hit on both sides of the Atlantic back in the ‘90s. “Something Good 2008” follows in the footsteps of the Royal Gigolos/Global Deejays remakes that flooded the market a couple years ago. Only a handful of the original vocals (Kate Bush samples from "Cloudbusting") and instrumental portions are used in the main Van She remixes. That fun piano loop sounds just as fresh today as it did many years back. While some feel these updated mixes are unnecessary, these remakes will introduce some of these club classics to a whole new generation. Watch the video.

February 13, 2008

The much-anticipated lead single off of her forthcoming album (now titled E=MC2) has been sent to radio stations. As previously reported by many sources, the chosen single is "Touch My Body." TMB is a smooth, mid-tempo track that immediately calls to mind previous singles "Always Be My Baby" and "Shake It Off." Her vocals are on-point, however, she chose to sing in that soft, whispery voice she uses on such songs, mostly for the verses though. But she does actually sing on the chorus. The lyrics are nothing overly special, but they are fun, albeit a little naughty and sassy. This may not be the best choice for a lead-off single, however, she may be saving the best singles for later in the album era. A video directed by Brett Ratner is to premiere in the next few weeks.Dance remixes by David Morales will be released to clubs and Dance radio soon.

Grade: B+

February 8, 2008

4 more days and a few minutes until the date Mariah Carey's highly anticipated new single "Touch My Body" is to be played on radio stations across the United States! Her forthcoming studio album, which is officilly untitled until further notice. Plans to release it on April 1, 2008 may or may not change after the single hits radio. La C's last project The Emancipation Of Mimi was a major success after two underperforming ones. The album spawned four top 40 hits including two number ones and one that peaked at number two. In terms of remixes, none have been officially announced, however, it was confirmed at music message board SoundCheck that David Morales would be remixing the lead single, whatever it might be. He may not be at liberty to say what the first single is since it may have been undetermined at that time.